Southern Poverty Law Center settles suit over contract with for-profit probation company

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern Poverty Law Center says it has settled a lawsuit against the city of Clanton, Alabama, related to a contract with a private, for-profit probation company.

The SPLC on Wednesday said Clanton has terminated its contract with Judicial Correction Services as a part of the agreement. A lawsuit filed in federal court earlier this year alleged that poor residents were being illegally threatened with jail time for failing to pay city fines.

SPLC deputy legal director Sam Brooke says nearly 100 other Alabama cities still contract with the company. Letters the organization sent Wednesday urge officials in other Alabama cities with contracts to cut ties with the company.

Calls to the company and attorneys representing the City of Clanton were not immediately returned.